MALAYSIA-INDONESIA FRIENDSHIP SWIM STOPPED HALFWAY DUE TO JELLYFISH, STRONG CURRENT

TAWAU, Malaysia, Aug 3 (Bernama) -- Indonesian swimmer Ibrahim Rusli's wish to
complete the Malaysia-Indonesia solo friendship swim across Cowie Bay was put on
hold due to strong current and the presence of jellyfish.

The 45-year-old, who began the eight-kilometre swim at Sungai Nyamuk, Pulau
Sebatik, Indonesia in conjunction with Indonesia's 65th Independence Day, was
forced to stop halfway after he was stung by two jellyfish.

After entering Malaysian waters at 8.10am, currents of 3.5 knots per minute and
cross winds also required him to stop his mission at 9.05am.

However, Ibrahim, an employee of the Indonesian government, was not deterred and
said he would make another attempt sometime this year.

"This was my first ocean swim and I plan another swim from Sungai Nyamuk to
Tawau this year.

"I am proud to have this opportunity to help foster closer ties between Malaysia
and Indonesia," he told reporters upon arrival at the Batu-Batu Jetty, here, a
town in East Malaysia state of Sabah, Tuesday.

Besides the local media, the event also received wide coverage from the
Indonesian print and electronic media.
-- BERNAMA